Did the Panasonic S1/R Fiasco Prove FUJIFILM Did Well to Skip Full Frame?

The Mirrorless Endgame

Some of you think that talking about “mirrorless endgame” or “mirrorless war” is a bit too dramatic. And yes, I actually agree with that, but also not!

I explain:

“War” or “Endgame” suggest an epic fight with violent ending. That will definitely not happen. At least not with all camera brands.

While Samsung joined the mirrorless market spectacularly with the Samsung NX1 and left just as spectacularly, by capitulating overnight, other brands will quietly disappear, reducing their products cycles, their innovations, and one day, silently, just stop it all.

The harsh truth is: in a camera market shrinking that fast, it is not plausible to think that everybody will continue grow and prosper.

So we are in the endgame now.

The good news for us customers is: companies lower their prices, beef up their cameras, race for innovation, cover us with firmware love, and fight for every single one of us.

We, the customers, win in any case ;).

About Skipping Full Frame

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Fujifilm GFX 100: Everything We Know so Far

Fujifilm GFX100

The Fujifilm GFX100 is coming on May 23 (live blogging on FujiRumors), and I have decided to collect all we know about it in this article.

It’s a mix of rumors and official statements made by Fujifilm managers.

For your convenience, I will link to the source (rumors or manager statement), so that you guys know if you should take something with a grain of salt or not.

Most of it comes from an amazing source, who shared with FujiRumors the official Fujifilm GFX 100 media slides:

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RUMOR, NEWS and COMMUNITY

Fujifilm GFX 100 official and rumored specs

Fujifilm GFX 100 Full Sensor Data Sheet

Fujifilm GFX 100

The Fujifilm GFX 100 announcement is just around the corner (May 23).

Of course there will be an epic live blogging on FujiRumors. Don’t miss it, and follow us on Facebook, Flipboard, Youtube, Instagram, RSS-feed and Twitter.

And for the very techy guys out there, today I share the 264 page strong full Fujifilm GFX 100 sensor data sheet.

If you prefer it more to the point, we have already leaked the official Fujifilm GFX 100 media slides.

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GEAR TALK DETOX: Fujifilm GFX Monochrome Edition with Valentino Rossi and More

Gear Talk Detox

The next few weeks will be gear talk at its highest power, here on FujiRumors.

The reason?

The massive Fujifilm GFX100 announcement on May 23!

So I thought that, before we dive into specs, pixel peeping, 400% magnifications and all the rest, we take one last deep breath into the art of photography by sharing some of the most voted images.

The only problem?

Our massive 21,000+ members strong Fujifilm GFX facebook group is very prolific and shares tons of images.

In order to make it easier for you digest, I decided to focus this part of the image roundup on monochrome images, and there will be another one later on in colors.

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Let’s Start (click to see the images)

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Fujinon XF 33mm f1.0 and XF 16-80mm f4 Hands On Video

At Photoforum 2019 in Moscow, a Russian youtuber went hands on with the Fujinon XF 33mm f/1.0 R WR and XF 16-80mm f/4.

The youtuber had a chat with the Fuji rep, that the automatic google translation tool has a hard time to tranlsate, so if any Russian FR-reader has some spare time to do something good for the FR-community, feel free to drop your translation in the comments down below.

Until then, all I could get is that apparently the youtuber, after handling the XF33mm f/1.0, says:

  • “it feels like around 800g weight“.
    Update with translation by FR reader
  • 33/1.0 dummy represents weight and size for now. Guess it will be pretty expensive. Awaiting next year
  • 16-80 will be affordable lens with extendable barrel (dummy shows folded state only). Also said that 16-80 will be lightweight lens for travellers and videographers

Of course the unit shown is just a dummy (the lens is on the roadmap for 2020), but dummies are usually accurate representations of the lens in terms of size, look and weight.

With that said, it’s still a long way, so there might be changes in size and weight until the final Fujinon XF33mm f/1.0 hits the market in 2020, and dummies we see later on this year might look different than the early ones we see now.

Regarding the Fujinon XF 16-80mm f/4, I remind you that Fujifilm said it will come this fall.

Check out the video above, which will skip the initial part of X-T30 and 16/2.8 introduction and jump straight to the XF33mmF1 and XF16-80mmF4.

Rumors & Community

Stay in the Loop

Fujinon XF 33mm f/1.0 Resources

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Fujikina 2019 Tokyo, May 25/26: Fujifilm GFX 100 Launch Party and More?

Fujikina 2019

Fujifilm announced the Fujikina 2019 event in Tokyo on May 25/26.

In the Fujifilm world, “Fujikina” means “big launch event“, and in this case it will be the official launch party for the Fujifilm GFX100, which will be announced on May 23.

What else could come?

Besides the release of the silver Fujinon XF16mmf2.8, I have not heard any more details about the event.

The Fujifilm X-Pro3 is sure for 2019, but no source has so far told me, that it will come in May (but never say never).

If you are waiting for the Fujinon XF 16-80mm f4 and GF50mm f/3.5, Fujifilm said they will be released in fall.

Whatever comes, you only have to do one thing: follow FujiRumors to know everything as fast as possible ;).

GFX · X fan meeting “FUJIKINA” is again.

This time, Tokyo’s event space “CROSS DOCK HARUMI” in Harumi will be held, and an event “FUJIKINA 2019 Tokyo” will be held to thoroughly enjoy the GFX X series.
In this event, you can experience the latest models of GFX and X series, talk shows and studio demonstrations by top photographers and creators from inside and outside Japan, gallery exhibition, free quick maintenance service (by reservation only) and GFX and X series. We offer various contents such as free rental service (by reservation only).

In addition, “FUJIKINA 2019 Tokyo” is planning to make a public program to create promotional videos and photos of overseas artists using the GFX / X series as a new program. Don’t miss the chance to see and experience the top professional production sites.

At the Fujikina 2019 there will be touch & try, quick maintenance service, loan Program, photowalks, live talk & studio demos and public filming. You can check out the full program at the dedicated fujikina 2019 page.

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The Mirrorless Endgame Begins: Fujifilm GFX 100 Announcement on May 23

Fujifilm GFX 100

According to our trusted sources, the Fujifilm GFX100 will be announced on May 23.

I am so excited to finally see this beast unveiled, that I created a fan-made Fujifilm GFX100 announcement trailer on my youtube channel.

Don’t take the trailer too seriously, though. Of course the Fujifilm GFX100 won’t destroy half of the camera universe. It’s just I am super-pumped to see Avengers Endgame, too, and I guess my brain just merged my excitements into the trailer you see above.

And yet, the mirrorless endgame really begins. Camera companies try to find a way to survive in a declining market, but it’s clear that there is no space for all to flourish.

Fujifilm tries to survive by avoiding the full frame mud fight and by dropping medium format beasts and agile hybrid APS-C cameras to the market.

If that will work out or not, only time will tell.

All I know is that I will be here, on May 23, to give you the most epic live blogging ever seen on FujiRumors.

Stick around guys, because this is just the beginning of a long rumor marathon ;).

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Sigma CEO: “Fujifilm Customers Would be Our Ideal Customer, but Fujifilm Does Not Disclose Their Protocols”

Sigma Fujifilm

Just a few weeks ago we reported how the Sigma CEO said that, he would really like to make Fujifilm X mount lenses, but resources are limited and other projects have priority.

And today, in an interview with DPReview, when asked if Sigma is planing to make Fujifilm X mount lenses, Sigma CEO Kazuto Yamaki answered:

“I have [had] many questions about it. I know that some [Fujifilm] customers are wishing for us to make lenses for them. It’s always a matter of priority. We know there are many good customers of the Fuji system and they’re perfectly matched with our ideal customer but [Fujifilm doesn’t] really disclose the protocol between the lens and camera, so we need to do the reverse engineering by ourselves.

It’s a really time-consuming process so we need to prioritize support for Sony E mount, our L-mount system, existing DSLR mounts and Micro Four Thirds.”

DPReview then adds:

“According to Mr Yamaki, the cost of the R&D required is easy to justify for major mounts, where sales are guaranteed. The flip-side, of course, is that for systems with a relatively small market share, and / or a large range of attractive native options already in existence – like Fujifilm X – it’s a trickier proposition.”

Just recently, Fujifilm top manager Toshihisa Iida said here that Fujifilm does not believe they need to share their X mount protocols with third-party manufactures, since Fujifilm offers already lots of glass.

On the other hand, when asked about third parties reverse engineering their lenses, Toshihisa Iida said “I guess that’s good for customers“, which to me sounds like they won’t sue Viltrox for making the Viltrox 85mm f/1.8.

Yes, dear Fujifilm, customers like indeed more lenses!

So please, share those protocols and help even more people to join the X family, by widen your lens offer and open for third parties. Because, as they say, we buy cameras, but we marry lenses. And the more sexy lenses a system has, the more people will buy into and stick with it.

  • read here: SIGMA Will Make FUJIFILM X Mount lenses if X series Camera Sales Increase by 20%
  • read here: SIGMA Needs Bigger Fujifilm Market Share, TOKINA Designed X Glass Already but Stopped by Royalties, TAMRON is Vague

Not sure if it mitigates the pain, but you can for example use the Fringer Smart AF adapter, which supports the Sigma 50/1.4 ART, Sigma 85/1.4 ART, Sigma 17-50/2.8 OS, Sigma 50-100/1.8 ART, Sigma 24/1.4 ART, Sigma 135/1.8 ART, Sigma 100-400 and many more.

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Fujifilm Manager: “Full Frame? Users Want Choice, and We Chose APS-C and MF. Smaller IBIS Needed”

Fujifilm Manager Interview

Just yesterday DPReview published their Fujifilm CP+ interview, with lots of interesting topics to discuss. Make sure to check it out here (including the hundreds of comments).

Now the Thai youtube channel กล้องกล้วยกล้วย interviewed Fujifilm manager Mr. Makoto Oishi.

It’s a 49 minutes interview in Thai and constantly translated into English. Too cumbersome and no time? Don’t worry, it’s all summed up down below for you :)

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Fujifilm Managers Q&A: Canon is Wrong, Full Frame only 1/3 of Market, X-T3 sold 40% Better than X-T2, Fast Lenses for GFX and More

Fujifilm Managers Interview

Just yesterday we shared a CP+ interview with Fujifilm managers here. Today it’s already time for another one, this time with Toshihisa Iida (the manager who said Fujifilm will never go full frame) and Makoto Oishi.

It’s again an interesting one, that also becomes very technical when it comes to analyzing the autofocus system and lets imaging-resource conclude that Fujifilm’s PDAF technology is arguably the most advanced on the market.

Down below you can find the key points and some images of the interview. The complete one can be checked out at imaging-resource here.

Market Future & Canon Predictions

  • Fujifilm totally disagrees with Canon’s prediction, that ILC business is going to contract by half over the next two years
  • Market will depend on innovation that will come
  • Fujifilm believes there is room for further grow
  • Some markets will decline, but other markets have still potential to grow (Asian market)

Full Frame

  • Customers should have different options
  • Currently full frame has 1/3 of the market by value
  • 2/3 of market is predominantly APS-C, Micro Four Thirds, and some medium-format
  • other manufacturers focus on full frame, this might open opportunities for Fujifilm as long as they keep up innovating APS-C and MF
  • mainly X-T3 and GFX 50R helped Fujifilm to grow by 10% total volume growth
  • APS-C vs FF is not just about sensor size, but also the lens size, lens weight, overall cost, or the speed, the 4K movies
  • people judge the system more on the overall package

Fujifilm X-T3 vs X-H line

  • sold better than expected
  • Fujifilm X-T3 sold 40% better than X-T2 if you compare to same period since launch
  • X-T3 and X-H1 have cannibalized each other
  • with the new lower X-H1 price tag, X-T3 and X-H1 sit nicely next to each other
  • H-series and T-series will coexist for the future, but we need to clearly differentiate the lineup without confusing customers

Lenses

  • XF200mmF2 is not only for sports, but also for portraits for very creamy bokeh and concerts for example

GFX System

  • Fujifilm GFX 50R sales are above expectation and factory is very busy
  • Fujifilm GFX 100 design is almost final, very early firmware, and IBIS still does not work
  • GFX 100 megapixel autofocus: same sensor structure as the X-T3
  • GFX 100 has almost zero competition, because FF is only at 50MP and other medium format cameras are very expensive
  • Fujifilm thinks at multi-shot high-res shooting mode for GFX100, but has not decided yet
  • designing IBIS is a real challenge for big MF sensor
  • Fujifilm has no idea about how many stops IBIS they will achieve [FujiRumors leaked internal press sheets that show they aim at 5 stops]
  • Fujifilm is still improving image quality via firmware
  • GFX100 launch in first half 2019 for around $10,000
  • Fujifilm GFX 50S most popular lens is the GF 32-64mmF4
  • Fujifilm GFX 50R most popular lens is the GF 45mmF2.8
  • GFX 50S owners have more lenses than GFX 50R owners
  • GFX owners complaint about the lack of more fast lenses for the system and Fujifilm is taking into consideration their feedback
  • Fujifilm listens to customers and tries to make their wishes happen, but sometimes their wishes become reality is very difficult and challenging
  • As bright as possible, as small as possible, as affordable as possible…
  • same team works on GFX and X. One R&D budget and depending on needs they are flexible to shift their focus

Autofocus

  • X-T30 has improved algorithm which will come to X-T3
  • CMOS sensor is always reading by lines. So it isn’t very suitable for horizontal phase-difference […] technically we can make a cross-type system but normally, subjects are more… and horizontally-arranged PDAF pixels support them better
  • Fujifilm could do vertical AF correlation, but hasn’t felt the need to do it
  • 8% of pixels are phase detection pixels (high density), good for low-light and high-frequency subjects
  • signal and phase pixel are read separately
  • we used to have like 60 regions within each AF point, but now 240
  • depending on the light level, the X-T3 can “bin” PDAF pixels together (basically just adding their contents) to get a better signal/noise ratio, and so be able to determine focus even in very dim lighting. Depending on how you do this, you’ll trade-off some ability to see the finest details, but it can really help in very low-light conditions

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